Overview

• The Future of Post Office consultation closes today, with official options including the potential closure of roughly 6,000 of the UK's about 11,500 branches.
• Government documents flag part-time outlets and branches sharing premises as especially vulnerable under any restructuring.
• The review acknowledges rural communities and older residents would be hardest hit, noting the high social value of face-to-face services.
• A Department for Business spokesman says the preference is to keep the network’s overall size and shape, while options under consideration include redefining a 'branch' to count drop-and-collect points.
• The process has drawn political pushback led by Conservatives and a petition, as separate moves by Royal Mail’s owner to rebrand around 8,000 Collect+ stores as Royal Mail Shop expand alternative over-the-counter parcel services.